Beginnier help on lights

[Ant2323]

Hello all, brand new to the forum. Looking for some advice and opinions to help my son pick out lighting for his new saltwater tank.

Little background He previously had a 32 gallon bio cube, which was obviously an all in one unit. He recently upgraded to 100 gallon corner tank that is about 24 inches deep he does have some corals in there that he would like to see grow but overall will be more Fish with a few corals in it.

Currently he has in the biocube;
leather corals rock flower and enemies GSP mushrooms, hammers Zoe’s and torches there are also two others that I cannot think of the name of right now.

I’ve been looking for lighting with him and two of the ones I found are the Fluval Marine 3.0 36”-48” 46 watt or the Current USA LOOP IC 36-48 IC 4106

Because he is buying everything, budget is definitely a concern. We would like to keep the lighting under $250 lower if possible. He was told by a few people that the Fluval is the better way to go. But I’ve also read mixed things about that one and really both.

Would love to hear anyone’s opinions or advice or even other brands to consider that may be better than that same $175-$225 range

 

[Subsea]

What is the footprint of the 100G tank? I assume 48” long by 18” wide by 24” deep.

In looking at the two lights you selected, I don’t see enough spread on those fixtures, one will not be enough. Consider led light bars.

Amazon product

Perhaps two of these.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Have a look at the nicrew 150 watts, this is a good low-budget light. I'm not sure if you would need one or two for that size tank thought. Personally I would stay away from the fluval lights and I never heard of the other one, there are several good low budget lights that perform very well, get some more opinions from here or do a search.

 

[WvAquatics]

Noopsyche k7 mini get 3 or 4 will cover or 2 k7

 

[Ant2323]

I also probably should’ve mentioned that it’s a corner tank. See attached photo. It’s approx 48 in long from the longest point 30 in wide from longest point and 24 in height

I was leaning towards two of the current USA 36-48 which gives 72 watts total from some of the websites I’ve been on. They seem to be pretty popular just worried about their strength.

 

[Subsea]

Amazon product

$90 buys 165W black box. Buy two for 4’ tank and use dimmer function to choose lower intensity.

PS: This is a 30G growout tank.

 

[Ant2323]

Have a look at the nicrew 150 watts, this is a good low-budget light. I'm not sure if you would need one or two for that size tank thought. Personally I would stay away from the fluval lights and I never heard of the other one, there are several good low budget lights that perform very well, get some more opinions from here or do a search.

Can these sit directly on top of the cover? With the top he has I’m not sure how we would mount them

 

[WvAquatics]

I also probably should’ve mentioned that it’s a corner tank. See attached photo. It’s approx 48 in long from the longest point 30 in wide from longest point and 24 in height

I was leaning towards two of the current USA 36-48 which gives 72 watts total from some of the websites I’ve been on. They seem to be pretty popular just worried about their strength.

The current usa fixture will probably manage lps and softies. I don't think they pack deep. The 36" is only 36w. The noopsyche mini is 60 at 75$ noopsyche will grow anything in your tank. 2 on the back 2 panels should cover the tank

 

[Doctorgori]

I also probably should’ve mentioned that it’s a corner tank. See attached photo. It’s approx 48 in long from the longest point 30 in wide from longest point and 24 in height

I was leaning towards two of the current USA 36-48 which gives 72 watts total from some of the websites I’ve been on. They seem to be pretty popular just worried about their strength.

I wasn’t impressed with that brand. BTW Reef lighting can sort of be grouped in loose “quality/price” tiers grouped along longevity/MTBF and performance … the lights being over saltwater, aluminum and build quality are a must …

If you have a broader tolerance for failure, the Id endorse Nicrew…for the price vs performance vs salt tolerance I was pleased

 

[WvAquatics]

Noo-Psyche Making hobbies affordable

Noo-Psyche factory direct sales

noopsychereeflight.com

 

[Subsea]

I also probably should’ve mentioned that it’s a corner tank. See attached photo. It’s approx 48 in long from the longest point 30 in wide from longest point and 24 in height

I was leaning towards two of the current USA 36-48 which gives 72 watts total from some of the websites I’ve been on. They seem to be pretty popular just worried about their strength.

In viewing your corner tank, for ascetics & performance the K7 mini is the way to go.

Noopsyche k7 mini get 3 or 4 will cover or 2 k7

 

[SudzFD]

The fluval won’t work. I had it as a secondary light for its moonlight functions and it will not support the coral he has or any coral for that matter.

I second the Nuvrei recommendation,

Or I use the smatfarm 95w led’s from Amazon. They can’t mount on the lid (no grow light can) but they have arm mounts that will work great in your tank.

I grow sps LPs and softies with these lights.

You can get two for $250

Amazon product

 

[WvAquatics]

Position both over each structure and your golden for any coral you want. This beaing said there is a lot of good options but I think 2 minis would look good and they would cover the awkward shape with ability to move to get best coverage.
Rectangle and square tanks for the win always lol.

 

[Ant2323]

The fluval won’t work. I had it as a secondary light for its moonlight functions and it will not support the coral he has or any coral for that matter.

I second the Nuvrei recommendation,

Or I use the smatfarm 95w led’s from Amazon. They can’t mount on the lid (no grow light can) but they have arm mounts that will work great in your tank.

I grow sps LPs and softies with these lights.

You can get two for $250

Amazon product

I’ll check those out I didn’t see Nuvrei mentioned thank you

 

[SudzFD]

I’ll check those out I didn’t see Nuvrei mentioned thank you

Sorry weird autocorrect. Nicrew

I use smatfarm. Nicrew are very similar. Both on Amazon. Both amazing budget grow lights.

 

[ScottJ]

I had some Current USA lights that grew nothing but hair algae. I would stay away from them myself. I use Smatfarms and am pretty happy with them. Color is OK and they give a lot of shimmer.

 

[Ant2323]

The fluval won’t work. I had it as a secondary light for its moonlight functions and it will not support the coral he has or any coral for that matter.

I second the Nuvrei recommendation,

Or I use the smatfarm 95w led’s from Amazon. They can’t mount on the lid (no grow light can) but they have arm mounts that will work great in your tank.

I grow sps LPs and softies with these lights.

You can get two for $250

Amazon product

Ill have to look for the arm mounts didn’t see them on their amazon store

 

[Ant2323]

I guess where im confused at now is to figure out how to mount them over the tank since he has the lid on it unless it’s not necessary to have the lid. I apologize for all the beginner sounding questions. He is 14 and just getting started but has become very knowledgeable with Fish and corals, but the actual setting up part is still very new This is all still very new to me.

 

[Subsea]

Ill have to look for the arm mounts didn’t see them on their amazon store

Amazon product

I just ordered this for myself.

 

[Subsea]

I guess where im confused at now is to figure out how to mount them over the tank since he has the lid on it unless it’s not necessary to have the lid. I apologize for all the beginner sounding questions. He is 14 and just getting started but has become very knowledgeable with Fish and corals, but the actual setting up part is still very new This is all still very new to me.

Some lights should not be placed directly on the glass due to heat gain in the fixture. The black box lights I recommended are VERY powerful and could be placed directly on the glass due to quiet & powerful cooling fans. However, the fixture is bulky looking with such a classy looking system. Start a tank journal and better describe the system.

The arm mounts allow glass to be removed. This will increase evaporation and evaporative cooling, as opposed to expensive titanium chillers.

I don’t use covers as I want my systems to run cool and I prefer the economy of evaporative cooling. However, it will add moisture to the bedroom and it will require more water make up for evaporation.